Our mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, we have completed more than 100 park projects in 33 states. Furthermore, to foster future park enthusiasts and stewards, we created our Buddy Bison School Program and Kids to Parks Day, our nationwide day of play. This video summarizes our work and celebrates the 2015 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award recipient, Senator Rob Portman (OH).

Mapping our progress

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Since 1983, NPT has supported and assisted in acquiring inholdings and in developing public and private partnerships to promote the acquisition and preservation of parks, wildlife refuges, historic landmarks, public lands, and water ways. We have completed more than 100 park projects benefiting 49 national park units and other public lands in 33 states. To learn more about about our work and how you can get involved, contact Dick Ring, NPT Park Projects Director.

The Buddy Bison school program was created in 2009 to engage diverse children from Title I schools with their local, state and national parks to teach environmental education and the numerous benefits of outdoor recreation. If parks are to survive, the face of those parks must change and under-served communities must have access to these local cultural and environmental resources. More than 80% of the students in the Buddy Bison school program qualify for free or reduced-priced lunch, predominantly in inner city communities. This program has been used in 60 schools across the country in grades pre-K through 8th in public, public charter and private schools across the country (20 states and Washington D.C.).

This experiential learning program enhances existing school curricula throughout the year with emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) as well as history, language arts, reading, geography, the arts, and outdoor recreation. Students also learn about the careers of professionals who support our parks-- and the importance of stewarding our public lands. And in addition to bringing kids to parks, we bring parks to kids by arranging schools visits from our many conservation partners.

Earlier this month, Secretary Sally Jewell and the Department of the Interior (DOI) celebrated "Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Week" to publicize the importance of LWCF and the Obama Administration's commitment to reauthorization and full funding of the program. The Fund marks its 50th anniversary on July 23 – the date on which the LWCF Act passed the House of Representatives 50 years ago.

Why should the LWCF matter to you? The importance of the LWCF can't be understated. Congress established the Fund to invest in our nation’s land, water and wildlife heritage. Using a fraction of offshore oil and gas revenues, the Fund creates parks – from ball fields to trails to open spaces; provides access for hunting and fishing; preserves habitats for wildlife, important water sources, and historic sites; funds conservation efforts; and benefits local economies.

Several of NPT's recent parkland acquisition projects including those that benefited Glacier National Park (MT) and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (GA) were accomplished thanks to resources from LWCF.

The mission of the LWCF is so important that Congress earmarked $900 million for this Fund. So the parks are all set right???? Not so fast. Unfortunately, LWCF has only been fully funded once in 50 years and is set to expire if Congress doesn’t renew the program.

If the Fund expires or continues to be underfunded, many of our parks, public lands and water, and wildlife habitats will be directly impacted. President Obama has joined the Secretary and LWCF Coalition's fight and has called for full funding, as part of a promise to the American people to protect our outdoor heritage. You can do your part by following the Secretary and the LWCF Coalition on Facebook and Twitter (#ParksForAll or #LWCF).

Buddy Bison

Buddy Bison, our lovable woolly mascot encourages kids to explore outdoors, the parks are yours! Visit the Buddy Bison section of our site to learn more about our school program, and how you can get your own Buddy Bison and share your park adventures and photos. Did you know that proceeds from Buddy Bison sales help us get under-served kids to their local parks?

NPT Selected for NPS Centennial Challenge Project

We are honored to be selected for a $450K match as part of the NPS Centennial Challenge Project to enhance and expand our youth programs! Read more here.

NPT Welcomes Steve Schuler to Our Board of Trustees

"I am very pleased to be a part of National Park Trust’s board during this very exciting time as we approach the centennial celebration.”

NPT Welcomes Carolyn Cohen to Our Leadership Council"I believe that as educators, we have a commitment to teach our youth the importance of sustaining parkland, empowering them as stewards to preserve our national treasures." Read More.